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September 30, 2004
Day 30: The Experiment Ends
What, if anything, have we learned this month?
Well, let's looks at the stats: I did, indeed, manage to post on every day this month. Of these 30 posts, 12 are about my knitting or general knitting related topics. The remaining 18 are non-knitting related and 5 of those are pretty lame [including this one]. 19 posts contained links to other sites.
I finished one project this month (lace scarf). I started on project this month (felted bear). I did other assorted knitting that is still is various stages of completion.
The average time I spent writing per post was reduced; however, so was the average length of post.
I conclude that posting every day this month improved neither my writing nor my knitting. It did, however, loosen me up a bit when it comes to posting. It's much easier to do again.
I think I need to apply this technique at work. I'm still having trouble writing up my papers. It seems too daunting. I think it may help to tell myself that I'm going to do some writing every day, even if it's just opening up a document and writing a sentence or even changing a couple of words. It may not be a lot of progress, but it is certainly more progress than can be made if I never open up the file.
[I envy all of you who are able to dash off long, flowing posts. Is there a trick to it, or have you always been able to do it? Is it something that can be learned? Any suggestions about how I can improve my writing--both in quality and ease?]
OK, the month of posting every day is over. I'm going to ease off a little and probably settle back into my old routine of posting about three days a week; and, I'm going to try and keep those posts knitting related. However, I'm not going to resist quick posts of other little things that I find or photos that I take [I'd like to start taking more photos].
I have something new planned for next month. I'll tell you about it tomorrow.
[BTW, I'm feeling better].
07:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)
September 29, 2004
Day 29: Jane, get me off this crazy thing!
Big surprise: I'm sick again. It comes and goes. Today it was mostly gone and I went to work for the first time this week. I missed yoga on Monday night and knitting at Savory last night.
Although it's mostly a sore throat, there is also some transient dizziness. The room feels like it's always slowly tilting...tilting. Never goes all the way over though.
I should probably just go lie down. I stared at my computer screen all day at work and I have been looking at the monitor too much since I've been home. No wonder I'm disoriented.
05:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
September 28, 2004
Day 28: What's so funny?
It probably explains a lot that these are some of the web comics that I find most amusing.
[not recommended for children or the extremely easily offended (not that the extremely easily offended should be compared with children)].
[Cruel, cruel irony: I was expecting to receive 'Mystery Science Theater 3000: Eegah' today from Netflix and 'Saving Silverman' was sent to me by mistake. Cruel, cruel].
04:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
September 27, 2004
Day 27: I am not... (part 1)
I am not...
technologically advanced
digitally enhanced
portable
scalable
user friendly
neat & tidy
picture perfect
ready for prime time
low maintenance
high impact
turbo charged
thrill-a-minute
fast-acting
packed w/ vitamins & minerals
full of whole grain goodness
artificially sweetened
low carb
fat free
part of your recommended daily allowance
04:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
September 26, 2004
Day 26: How I Did It
When it came time to put the beaded edge on the scarf, I had no idea what I was doing. Linda had shown me her beaded scarf but we never talked about exactly how all those little beads got on there.
At this point there were several sensible routes I could have taken. I could have called called up Linda and asked her how; I could have looked through the numerous knitting books and magazines I own; or, I could have searched for information on the Internet.
Of course, I didn't do any of these things. I was impatient; I jumped right in and tried to figure it out for myself. I struck upon a solution through a method of successive approximation.
I don't know if this is the "right" way (i.e., the way I would have learned from one of the sources listed above). It's probably is similar though, after all, there are only so many ways you to do this. [Let's not even go into whether or not there are absolutely "right" ways to do these things].
After I strung about a million beads onto the Zephyr, I selected a crochet hook from the mug on my desk.
First attempt: The hook was too small, so I got a larger hook.
Second attempt: Now, the hook was the right size, but the beads were facing the wrong side.
Third attempt: I turned with the wrong side facing me, working one-for-one in the selvedge stitches. Darn, the edge was pulling too tight.
Fourth attempt: I changed to two-for-one. Success!
See how easy that was?
In the end, I used a size D hook. I made two single crochets in each of the chain selvedge stitches along the edges, alternating a plain stitch with a breaded stitch. Along the ends, I worked the stitches one-for-one, again alternating plain and beaded stitches.
To place the bead, I pushed it up to the hook before wrapping the yarn the second time for the single crochet. This placed the beads facing away from me, but it also had the unintentional benefit of producing a nice chain finish along the edge. [Click to see the large view].
It's very likely that there will be more beaded scarves in my future, knitted ones as well. Whee!
07:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
September 25, 2004
Day 25: Look at This
I have a draft of a post about the beaded edging; but for several reasons, I won't have the opportunity to finish it up tonight.
So instead, I will throw at you a link to the portfolio of Yann Arthus-Bertrand, full of amazing aerial photography and pictures of people with their favorite livestock (including a photo of a man and his ram).
Many of these images are available as downloadable wallpapers for your computer desktop. A fantastic resource.
03:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
September 24, 2004
Day 24: Miracle Lace Scarf
Miracle because...
I finished something.
I knit a "fashion accessory only" scarf.
I embellished it.
The biggest miracle will occur when I actually wear it in public.
Do you see the little dots along the edge? Here, have a closer look.
They're beads.
[I will try and get a better close up shot of the edge tomorrow. The beads are actually more subtle than they appear in these photos. There's a more color-accurate picture of them in the 9.17 post].
I crocheted a beaded border around the entire thing. I got this idea from an excellent knitter I met at one of the Knitting Meetups. She had showed me a lace scarf she knit that went from ho hum to hubba hubba with a beaded edge.
I had forgotten all about that scarf until a couple of weeks ago. I was almost done knitting; and although I could see the lace was going to be lovely, the scarf lacked something. It just hung there, limp and undistinguished around my neck. [Yawn].
And then I had a creative breakthrough. Beads!
The beading turned out to be a solution for multiple problems I had with this scarf: it enhanced the visual interest; it firmed the edge and made the scarf less floppy; and, it evened out the shape.
I ran into difficultly with the shape during blocking on Sunday night--the edges were different lengths. Something about the way I knit the selvedge stitches on the rightside facing- and the wrongside facing-rows pulled them tighter on one side. As a result, the scarf flared out a little along that edge. It wasn't that noticeable, but it irked me nonetheless. Adding the crochet border all the way around shortened the long edge and both sides are even now. [Bonus!]
I'll have more details about how I did it tomorrow.
08:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
September 23, 2004
Day 23: Circus of the Sun
Or rather, Cirque du Soleil.
I heard today from "the" Michelle that there were discounted tickets available for some of the upcoming DC performances of Varekai. Oh man, I was all over that one.
I have wanted to see a live Cirque du Soleil show for way more than just a couple of years, but the timing has never been right. Next Friday, I'll be attending a matinee performance. I cannot convey to you how completely psyched I am. Whoo!!
On to a different topic: Do you think my sister will forgive me for sending her birthday card late if I send her one of these?
Pressed flowers and handmade paper. So pretty, I don't know which one to send.
[Sorry for the extremely lame post yesterday. If all goes as expected, I will have some real and rare knitting content tomorrow].
07:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
September 22, 2004
Day 22: BURP!
Went out for dinner with coworkers tonight. Too stuffed with pizza and beer to post.
07:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
September 21, 2004
Day 21: My Secret Sock Shame
Nanette has been finishing lots of pairs of socks this month. I have not.
Last week, I said I was going to look for a sock to work on. I found one--but not just one.
I have a bad habit of starting many more socks than I finish. Rather than finishing a pair and moving on to the next, I just buy a new set of dpns and start in on a new pair. I'm easily distracted.
There are eight started pairs in that picture and evidence of the yarn to start three more pairs. I'm actually showing terrific restraint by not casting on for those last three. [I do have enough extra needles to start at least two...]
No! I'll be strong. I should add the pair closest to being done to the rotation and see if I can make some progress. [Ha! And then I'll finish a sweater. Ha ha ha!!]
Whoops. I was almost ready to post this when I remembered that I have some sock yarn on the shelves in the other room. Apparently, at one time I expected to do a lot of sock knitting.
At least they are not all on the needles.
07:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
September 20, 2004
Day 20: No Counting Sheep Needed
Not much time to post this evening. Yoga classes started up again after two weeks off and I'm trying to get 60+ inches herringbone lace scarf blocked before bedtime. Whoops, too late.
I don't think I'm going to have to count sheep to fall asleep tonight.
07:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
September 19, 2004
Day 19: Knit In
I can't write about today's Knit Out because I didn't go. I just had the need to be alone today.
It was a beautiful day--clear and cool. The weather made it possible to think about the coming autumn and winter without desperate longing for something that was still ridiculously far off. It's almost possible to think about Christmas and New Year's on a day like this; and stocking up on Halloween candy seems like a good idea. And yet, summer hasn't made it's last appearance. It's too soon to take in the plants; the window can stay open all night. I wish there were more of these days in the year [and more of these years in life].
[I also didn't talk like a pirate today. I did almost buy a pirate t-shirt. Now, where's my yARRRn?]
04:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
September 18, 2004
Day 18: Three Names
[I don't feel like thinking very much tonight].04:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
September 17, 2004
Day 17: Slightly Fuzzy
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05:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
September 16, 2004
Day 16: My New Toy
This is my new rechargeable cordless optical mouse. Ain't it a beaut?
This was a case of wanting something before I even knew that it existed. My boss just ordered one of these for each of us at work, but I didn't know they where coming. When they showed up last week, I fell in love.
I've had a cordless optical at work for a while now and it eats through batteries pretty quickly. Bleh.
I bought a corded optical for home earlier this year, but I didn't like it and brought it back for refund instead of exchange. Blah.
And then the Logitech MX700 came into my life. Blam!
I checked the prices online. It was on sale, with a rebate. It would be mine.
It arrived yesterday and so far I am very pleased. No more cord, no more cleaning, no changing batteries, and I can use it to defend my apartment against the Borg.
08:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
September 15, 2004
Day 15: Elka Knits...
...using my sock recipe. Cool! Go take a look (on Sept. 13th); they are excellent. I love that color.
I am always honored [and amazed] when someone uses my humble pattern. As I've said before, this is the only sock pattern I've ever knit because it fits my needs and my feet perfectly. I see lots of other interesting sock patterns [have you seen the amazing socks that Nanette has been knitting this month?], but I always end up making my old reliable.
I haven't done any sock knitting in almost a year. The air is a bit chilly tonight; maybe I should dig out one of my many unfinished socks to work on.
07:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
September 14, 2004
Day 14: TPFF '04
My debilitating fatigue finally lifted this past weekend. It may have been allergies or poor sleep hygiene or iron poor blood. I don't really know what it was. I do know that for the moment I am feeling better.
I mention this because feeling better made it possible for me to work at the Knit and Crochet in the City table at the Takoma Park Folk Festival on Sunday.
I did this last year too. This year was even better because we had a table and tent supplied be Cindy and Wayne from Shepherd's Purse Alpacas. Ah, sweet, sweet shade.
Once again, we gave out information and taught knitting and crocheting. Once again, I had fun and talked myself hoarse. One of the performance stages was in the field behind us. We got to listen to good folk music all day, but it also made it necessary to shout at everyone.
I wore my Opulent Options lace top and brought some felted bears, my basketweave scarf, and a knitted puzzle ball to display. The bears and the ball were big hits.
There was music, food, crafts, and community information. And if that wasn't enough, there were people to watch too.
I would love to know the story behind these costumes.
This is a blow-up of the background of one of my other pictures. It's a sample of the people at the festival...
Hey! Wait a minute! Look at that guy on the right. It's a time-traveling 1980s popstar!
07:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
September 13, 2004
Day 13: Mugging for the Camera
Yeah, well, that post on the folk festival isn't going to happen tonight. Just ran out of time.
So, I will distract you with a picture of this adorable mug that I bought at one of the festival craft booths.
07:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
September 12, 2004
Day 12: Flowers & Bees
Tomorrow, I will probably have a post about working the knit and crochet booth at the Takoma Park Folk Festival.
Tonight, however, you get the second half of last weekend's walk through the neighborhood. Moving on from the commercial district, this time it's flowers and bees. Buzzzzzzz.
[On a totally unrelated note: Why are all the hurricane reporters on The Weather Channel dressed like ATF agents? They are all wearing black t-shirts and baseball caps].
04:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
September 11, 2004
Day 11: Ridin' That DSL High
Through the magic of a high-speed Internet connection, I am now able to view amazing high-tech, modern online entertainment such as Star Wars in ASCII.
/ ()\
_|_____|_
| | === | |
|_| o |_|
|| o ||
||__*__||
|~ \___/ ~|
/*\ /*\ /*\
[ ] [ ] [ ]
It ends before the trash compactor scene; however, given the gross implausibility of this method of waste disposal onboard the Death Star, I am saved the frustration of watching it.
[Why yes, I am a geek. What tipped you off?]
07:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
September 10, 2004
Day 10: Friday Fiend
After taking the summer off, Making Fiends is back with a new episode (#11). Yay! [I'm double cream brie!]
I came very close to forgetting to post tonight because I am entranced by my new DSL connection. I am going to wail like a banshee the first time it stops working.
The DSL actually may have a negative effect on my knitting. The little progress I made was usually while waiting for pages to load on my dial-up connection.
06:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
September 09, 2004
Day 9: Blogging Everyday (again)
HUZZAH!! [That's an interjection that doesn't get enough play any more. Let's all try and use it in a conversation tomorrow]. The blocking continues. After months of inactivity, I'm finally blocking the pieces of the Everyday Cardigan!
However, progress is slow for obvious reasons.
05:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
September 08, 2004
Day 8: Why?
OK, why post every day this month?
I only posted four times in August. It was getting to the point where my internal censor was impossible to please. My standard for a worthwhile post was shooting sky high. As a result, it was usually easiest just to let things slide and tell myself, "tomorrow, tomorrow." And at that rate, I was getting close to giving up altogether (not that that would be such a bad thing).
However, instead of bringing down the curtain, I decided to change things up a bit. Rather than stop, I would require myself to post everyday no matter what and no matter what the quality of the post. [I'm sorry, but you all will be the only ones to suffer]. I thought it might help me blast through my blocks in both knitting and writing.
You'll notice that although I am now posting every day, I'm still not saying much. No great burst of creativity yet.
So, today for your amusement: Not My Type.
06:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
September 07, 2004
Day 7: Just in Time for Autumn...
...a summer top inches toward completion.
05:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
September 06, 2004
Day 6: The sheep says baa baa
But what does she say in Hungarian?
04:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
September 05, 2004
Day 5: My Neighborhood
I got up early this morning for a walk around the neighborhood and brought along my camera. You can see some of the pictures I took and take the tour from the photo gallery on the left.
Takoma Park, MD is located just outside the northeast border of Washington, DC. It's predominantly liberal population along with it's designation as a nuclear-free zone and an immigration sanctuary city have earned it the nicknames of the "Berkeley of the East", the "People's Republic of Takoma Park".
It's hardly Utopia and I'm no hippie chick, but there is a definite sense of community that I haven't experienced in a big city before. Plus, I'm only two doors down from a coffee shop and a five minute walk to the yoga studio. Life is good.
07:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
September 04, 2004
Day 4: My Bear Legs
07:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
September 03, 2004
Day 3: Errand Day
In honor of the upcoming Labor Day holiday, I received poor service today at the doctor's office, the oil change place, the pet store, and the pharmacy. Good job guys! Why don't you all take Monday off?
[sigh]
It's just been one of those days.
Let's lighten the mood with an unbearably cute September calendar for my computer desktop.
07:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
September 02, 2004
Day 2: The Sandman Cometh
Only day 2 and lame already. So sleepy tonight that all I can manage is a quick picture of half a bear.
Tomorrow starts my four day holiday weekend. Hooray!
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...................
07:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
September 01, 2004
Day 1: The Experiment Begins
OK, here we are; September 1st. Let's blog!
OK, not knitting related, but sheep related. And really, no matter how many times I see it, the poor 'stressed sheep' never fails to amuse.
This comes from a recent online news blurb from the scientific journal Nature. Apparently, sheep like to look at pictures of other sheep. In fact, when isolated sheep were shown pictures of other sheep, "unhappy bleating noises dropped by 20-fold"! Astounding!
Also of interest, sheep "are also excellent at recognizing individual faces, and can remember the features of up to 50 sheep and 10 humans over a two-year period". Whoa. Better be careful not to piss off any sheep at the next Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. "Yeah, lady, I'm gonna remember you."
I would just like to point out that Nature is a highly respected scientific journal and that this ovine research was originally reported in the proceedings of the venerable Royal Society of London. I would also like to point out that although a manuscript based on my dissertation research is currently under review for publication in the flagship journal of acoustics research, I have no chance in hell of making it into either Nature or the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London unless I start studying the acoustics of unhappy bleating noises. [It's only sad because it's true].
06:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
